The Stubborn Workaholic

shellany (59)in #blog • 7 years ago (edited)

As I write this post I'm currently battling a cold.

When you get sick you have no choice but to stay in bed and do what the doctor tells you:

"Take your medicine, drink enough liquids, get enough rest!"

When in bed, resting and feeling your worst you contemplate on a lot of things. How you wish you were in the pink of health and how you should've taken care of your body.

Regrets, regrets all over!

Nothing is worse than getting sick. The feeling of helplessness and the body pains that you experience.

All because I have been working too much and my immune system is down.

For workaholics like me, chilling or relaxing seems like an alien term. When the mind is constantly at work, you can't help but do something that you think is productive of your time. If you're not at work, you wish you're at work. And if you're overwhelmed with work, you wish you're on a vacation.

I remember the time when I was out of work for two months. I was constantly jittery and always in a panic mode. Don't get me wrong, I had more than enough funds for the two months that I had to wait for another job that was undoubtedly meant for me. Just because I felt I wasn't doing anything worthwhile to pass the time.

But why can't anyone who is a workaholic not think of work when they're at rest?

Health is wealth. When the body is at its optimum health, you automatically think you can do a lot of things and feel that you can extend more than what you can handle. Some people say they feel like superman when they feel that their body is in the best of health.

Time is gold. Indeed a lot of us wish we could squeeze more time in a day or think that sleep is just optional. Some people can get by with only 2-3 hours of sleep and feel that it's already what their body needs.

Culture and environment are also big factors. Japan for example is a nation of workaholics, the average working hours is 12 or more and it would be impolite if you work less hours than your fellow employee.

Japan workers toil more than 12 hours a day and hardly use vacation leave
image source

A certain motivation or driving force probes them to work more . It could be money, invention, basic needs, recognition, fame, attention, love and many others that influence a person to become a workaholic.

Being a workaholic has it's advantages but also has it's equal downside. The dedication we give to our work will always be rewarded but the time for family, loved ones, and friends can be sacrificed aside from failing health if not addressed. Balance is always key but it is terribly hard to break a habit you have acquired for so long or all your life. If you have a goal, sometimes one can't help but to push further. That's why most workaholics are so stubborn, it can take more than an advice for us to change.

Is there a Workaholics Anonymous? I guess it's time for me to sign up!